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06 Desember 2008

Interview with Sissoko

Q&A with Juventus midfielder Mohamed Sissoko:

Ciao Mohamed, how would you sum up Juventus' start to the season?

We've done pretty well I'd say. We've run into a bit of form and reacted well to the defeat against Inter. We are thereabouts in the league and I reckon we are capable of making up the six-point gap.

Did the Inter loss affect you?

No. Why should it? We beat them last year, didn't we? I don't think one match decides a championship. They were able to find the net that day and we weren't. That was the only difference.

Your coach Claudio Ranieri says Juve are the main rivals to Inter for the scudetto. Would you agree?

We are in the running but there's a long way to go. My personal philosophy is to take each game as it comes and see where we end up. I don't think teams like Milan, Fiorentina or Lazio have thrown in the towel yet. We just have to keep winning, beginning on Sunday.

(Gianluigi) Buffon reckons you have a better chance in the Champions League than in Serie A. Do you agree with him?

We're pleased to have qualified for the knockout stage but the Champions League is a very difficult tournament to win. There's no doubt that the Madrid wins have given us real belief in our abilities. Maybe we are more suited to that competition - it's a different kettle of fish.

Which teams would you like to avoid in the draw?

Barcelona are my favourites for the trophy but, to be honest, once you reach this stage one team is as difficult as the next.

Are Juve good enough to become European champions again or is that asking too much?

Let me say again that we have a strong squad, we believe in ourselves and can compete with the best of them. If that's enough, then fate will decide whether we are victorious or not.

Moving onto international football, did Ronaldo deserve to pick up the Golden Ball award?

Definitely. He had an amazing season, scoring 42 goals in all and winning the Premiership and Champions League. Basically, you can't ask for more than that.

After Lecce, Juve play Milan at home. Are they a side to be feared or are they going through a transformation phase?

Milan have a very strong squad but first there's Lecce which will be an extremely tough match to win. They are fighting for their lives so the points are not going to come easy.

Which team has made the biggest impression on you this season in Serie A?

Catania are playing well and both Lazio and Napoli have impressed me.

Alessandro Del Piero is having another great season. How would you describe the captain's influence on the team?

Everyone knows he's a great player with immense talent. I've played with some exceptional footballers in the past such as (Pablo) Aimar at Valencia and (Steven) Gerrard at Liverpool and Alex has the same influence on the team.

You've played in Spain, England and now in Italy. Which do you consider the best league?

They're different but I'd say the most difficult is Serie A. In Italy you are required to be tactically proficient at every instant of the match, while in the other leagues you can make a tactical mistake but won't be punished as often.

You were born in Paris but chose to play for the country of your parents, Mali. How come?

Because my heart is Malian. While I'm bound to France, my family is from Mali and, inside, I feel African and Malian.

The World Cup is only 18 months away. Playing on home soil, is it the time for an African nation to win?

I hope so. Mali still have to qualify but the World Cup is a great dream for everyone and motivates the players no end. To be the first African winners would be something unbelievable.

How do you like Turin?

It's grown on me. It's a beautiful and quiet city where my family has settled nicely into.

What don't you like about Italy? Racism?

I must admit that before coming here I was a bit scared of the things I saw on TV and read about but after being here for almost two years, I can say that things aren't as bad as they appear.

I know you've been asked this question a lot of times but next year will you be fasting again for Ramadan?

There has been too much fuss made about that this year. It's a private matter but something that I consider very important.

I don't know how many other footballers have 14 brothers and sisters. What was it like growing up in such a large family?

Brilliant! It allowed me to develop a sense of the family which I treasure. I care for them all very much.

Has football been everything to you in life?

I'd have to say yes. My family wasn't poor but there were some hard times too. Becoming a professional footballer has helped everyone out so that's made me happy.

What dreams do you have as a player and as a person?

As a player, to win something important with Juve and with Mali. As a person, to do something for the poor people of my country.

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